Feelings Cannot Be Hidden

After hearing the honest thoughts and confession from Clara, Joe's mind was thrown into turmoil. He knew how he already felt about Shianne, and he was happy every moment they spent together. Yet, when faced with a new reality, he was confused.

After spending several weeks together, he had at some point become attached to another woman. From dawn until nearly dusk, they spent day after day together. It was a wonder that he hadn't realized the changes in their relationship until now. Despite that, he had to think things over earnestly.

Thus, they separated for the day with Joe simply asking for time to think about his situation. He didn't tell Clara about his existing relationship with Shianne because he was certain he was going to turn her down. He simply needed to find the best way to without hurting her.

With that, Joe proceeded along his typical daily events. In the end, he found himself standing just inside Shianne's office with still no answer in sight. A troubled look was evident on his face, and it didn't escape her notice.

After they each took their usual spots on one of the couches, Joe retold the events from his day. He left out no detail about what had transpired before he came to be with her tonight. In the end, he felt guilty for not turning Clara down before he had come there.

"I have no doubt in my heart about how you feel about me. You show me every day and you never hold back on letting me know. It makes me feel euphoric knowing that anyone could hold such strong feelings of adoration towards me. With that said, I want you to answer me honestly. Don't over think it and just answer. Do you care about her romantically as well?"

Despite her confidence in her own stance in his life, Shianne couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy when she brought up this otherwise straightforward question. She had seen firsthand how the two had been getting along recently. From his answer, she will try to help him through his dilemma.

"You know I'm in love with you already. Still, I think I may feel the same way about Clara which is why I'm so confused about what to do. I am happy with you, but I also don't want to cause her any pain. I also don't want her to leave my life after the time we've spent together."

"Would you accept my help if I told you I may have a way to avoid all of the negatives?"

Having noticed the growing closeness between the two, Shianne had prepared for the absolute worse that could come her way. She also decided on a contingency plan that, if it worked out, could solve the immediate issue at hand as well as others that may come.

"You know I trust you and seeing how I don't exactly see a solution myself; I will rely on you. So, what's your plan?"

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In the end, Shianne decided to keep her plan to herself for the time being. Mostly out of fear that he would instantly shoot it down despite the confidence he had placed in her. The following day, she decided to pull Clara aside while the individual squads were busy training.

It was a simple conversation that didn't take away from much of her training time. All she ended up telling her was to show up to her office by nineteen hundred hours. This time wouldn't conflict with her usual training with Joe and would allow her ample time to eat and change before arriving.

With that brief instruction, Shianne put her plan into motion. After classes, she went back to her office as usual leaving the two to their private training. During their entire training session, the two remained silent about the events of the day prior. Joe still didn't have an answer to give her, and Clara didn't want to push him for one. For the first time in her life, she found herself chasing the other person.

With their session coming to an end, Joe went about getting ready to see Shianne as he always did. To his surprise, twenty minutes after he arrived and had been talking things through with her again, a sudden knock came at the office door.

"Come in."

With permission being given by the rightful owner of the office, Joe found himself slightly nervous. Without knowing who was on the other side of the door himself, she had immediately given permission.

'What if they catch on to our relationship because I'm here so late after hours...'

His mind ran rampantly as this single worry bloomed within it. Scenario after scenario played out in his mind. Every one of them ended with his expulsion and Shianne's career ending. Once the door opened, all his thoughts came to a halt at the sight of the beauty standing in the open doorway.

"Good, you're just on time. Come in and take a seat over there. There's a lot we must discuss with you. Although, I think I'll be doing most of the talking." With a slight giggle, Shianne saw the panic that had seeped into Joe's face begin to soften.

After Clara closed the only entrance to the room and found a seat on the opposite couch, Shianne poured her a cup of the coffee Joe had already prepared and offered it to her. The previously tense young woman began to relax from this gesture and graciously accepted the cup. Only one worry seemed to remain from having been summoned her, 'why is Joe here?'